Sideswipe: November 25: Stale smell of mixed success for Trump

Donald Trump sold his name to a perfume, Donald Trump - The Fragrance, back in 2004.

Donald Trump sold his name to a perfume, Donald Trump - The Fragrance, back in 2004. It can still be found on eBay. It was sold with this aggrandising marketing puff: "Luxurious. Confident. Persuasive. The compelling new scent for men. Power attracts." Fortunately, in another case of satirical prophecy (like that Simpsons episode with Trump as president), MAD magazine had imagined a Trump fragrance way back in 1992. They called it "The Smell of The Donald" with the strapline: "Combining the sweet smell of success with the arid stench of bankruptcy" and said it was available in "casinos, condominiums, big banks and other failed institutions".

"We were out for dinner in St Heliers and did a double-take at these ergonomically designed chairs," writes a reader.

Origins of why you might eat your hat

The saying "I'll eat my hat" conjures up such a funny visual that people have continued to use this antiquated idiom every time they're confident something will not happen. But where did the saying originate? Karl Smallwood of Today I Found Out says the saying is a streamlined version of the now defunct utterance "I'll eat Old Rowley's hat", Old Rowley being a nickname used to ridicule King Charles II, who was known for wearing foppish hats.

Bottoms up for police

Police in Wodonga, Australia are hoping they can get to the bottom of a particularly cheeky case. While the scene - a break-in at the local community hall - was being dusted for prints, a shape from a bare bottom began to appear. "He's going to have to throw his fingerprint brush out now I think," said Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer of his colleague. It is believed there were three offenders, thought to be in their late teens to early 20s. (Via Yahoo News)

Our street is a disgrace. I contacted Auckland Transport on behalf of the whole street.

Berm neglect

"You'll remember the 'Berm Wars' fiasco three years ago?" says Clive Litten, of Ash St, Avondale. "Well it's worse. Our street is a disgrace. I contacted Auckland Transport on behalf of the whole street. I asked for some action, please. Multiple phone calls, emails and conversations and hollow promises from them have delivered nothing." Adding for little relevance: "Our street is full of immigrants and renters living in multiple dwellings."

Very specific question asked of Yahoo Answers.

Say What? Noodle scented bath bomb.

Graphic: A timeline from 8 minutes to 1000 years of what would happen if the sun vanished...

Video: Boy saves his baby brother from rolling off his change table...

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Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz